Another point about the new procedure:

Currently, ACS has two problems that cause it to be penalized for delays:
1) It can't get people and cargo loaded on time for a good portion of the flights, and
2) Flight Ops insists on tying the beacon, and therefore actual pushback time, to the out message. This makes ACS responsible for ramp and ATC delays for a good portion of the flights.

We also have a problem in that Flight Ops is actually shifting ramp and ATC delays onto our wallets, by designing proceure that causes us to sit for free until cleared to push.

By going to the new procedure, ACS is able to get the flights out a little sooner, making them less succeptible to Load Planning issues and AWABS issuance, but it doesn't quite solve the beacon problem. So they're only able to shift the Load Planning portion of the equation off, and maybe will get lucky avoiding ramp and ATC delays, if they get us ready a little early. Their efforts can still be scuttled if we can't push.

Now, by helping with the beacon (theoretically), we would only hide the problems, and give Flight Ops and ACS cover.

By fully complying with new procedures, IF the result is ramp or taxyway congestion, then we're simply leaving the problem exactly where it belongs: Flight Ops' insistance that we use an inappropriate trigger for on-time.

Ergo, failing to enter AWABS fully stopped is not simply a violation of procedure, and an attempt to work for free, but it is also a way of allowing someone else's problem to be shifted to you, your safety, and your certificate.

The reason this could be a dangerous procedure is that someone, somewhere, is potentially going to step on their [...] while trying to "help". I think logic and safety demand that we do NOT try to reinvent the wheel, and we don't pervert the data by trying to shotgun this stuff. This will allow the natural consequences of the procedure to be revealed. Maybe it will be a problem, maybe it won't.

Regardless, the solution to all of this actually is remarkably simple: Delta needs to insist on a procedure that sends the appropriate data at the appropriate times. FTB explained the concept very well.